BOARD OF SCHOOL TRUSTEES
SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 67 (OKANAGAN SKAHA)
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
HELD ON MONDAY, MARCH 6, 2006, AT 7:30 P.M.
AT THE SCHOOL BOARD OFFICE
MINUTES
IN ATTENDANCE
C. Denesiuk, Chair
L. Little, Vice Chair
W. Huebert, Trustee
D. E. Jamieson, Trustee
G. Manning, Trustee
L. Van Alphen, Trustee
G. Doi, Superintendent of Schools
F. Regehr, Secretary-Treasurer
D. Stigant, Assistant Superintendent
R. Shongrunden, Assistant Secretary-Treasurer
J. Hickling, Director of Maintenance
G. Schafer, Director of Instruction
D. Burgoyne, District Principal
D. Adey, Executive Secretary
1.0
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Denesiuk welcomed district staff, guests, and representatives of the media.
2.0
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
MOTION:
Little/Van Alphen that the agenda and addendum be approved.
CARRIED
3.0
PRESENTATIONS BY SCHOOLS AND/OR STUDENTS
3.1
Assessment Conference
Summerland Secondary School teachers, Jane Stead, Raja Gupta, and Charles Lay,
attended the assessment conference in Portland in October. The teachers reviewed
highlights of the conference and provided an overview of the impact ‘assessment for
learning’ is having on their instruction and student performance. Principal Bill Bidlake
noted that the third component of building instructional capacity is in the assessment area
and that flex funds provided to the school to be used towards their school goals was used
for the conference.
Following a number of questions, appreciation was extended to the teachers for providing
information regarding the conference and how the outcomes are used in the classroom.
“Working Together for Student Success”
www.sd67.bc.ca
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
Page 2
Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – March 6, 2006
4.0
RECEIVING OF DELEGATIONS AND GUESTS
5.0
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
MOTION:
Huebert/Manning that the minutes of the regular meeting held on February 13,
2006 be approved.
CARRIED
6.0
REPORT FROM CLOSED MEETING
The secretary-treasurer reported on the closed meeting held on February 13, 2006:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
7.0
Received correspondence;
Received reports from the finance and management committee;
(Declaring a possible conflict of interest, Trustee Little left both the committee meeting
and the closed meeting for discussion of one topic.)
Received and supported the direction of the current round of bargaining for CUPE Local
523;
Approved a personnel item;
Received reports from the buildings, grounds, safety, and transportation committee, and
the discipline committee;
Approved teaching, excluded, and CUPE staff changes;
Received information related to the development of the 2006-07 budget;
Approved requests for teacher leaves of absence;
Received information regarding student suspensions;
Received information related to the selection process for principal and vice principal
vacancies;
Received information related to a meeting of the British Columbia Public School
Employers’ Association.
CORRESPONDENCE
7.1
Letter from Auditor General of British Columbia
A letter from the Auditor General of British Columbia regarding the appointment of
auditors for government organizations and trust funds and confirming that the financial
statements of School District 67 will continue to be audited by an auditor appointed by the
Board.
7.2
Letter from Okanagan Skaha Teachers’ Union
A letter from the Okanagan Skaha Teachers’ Union requesting the creation of a local
Round Table in association with other partner groups.
7.3
Letter from Okanagan Skaha Teachers’ Union
A letter from the Okanagan Skaha Teachers’ Union advising the OSTU will not be
sending representatives to the Planning and Goal Review Session on March 1, 2006.
7.4
Letter from CUPE 523 Okanagan Skaha
A letter from CUPE 523 Okanagan Skaha advising that CUPE 523 Okanagan Skaha will
not be sending representatives to the Planning and Goal Review Sessions on March 1,
2006.
7.5
Copy of Letter to Mayor of Langley
A copy of a letter forwarded by School District No. 35 (Langley) to the Mayor of Langley
requesting that council adopt a bylaw which would prohibit the display and sale of drug
paraphernalia.
MOTION:
Little/Van Alphen that the correspondence be received.
CARRIED
“Working Together for Student Success”
www.sd67.bc.ca
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
8.0
Page 3
Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – March 6, 2006
REPORT OF COMMITTEES
8.1
Education Committee
Trustee Manning reported on the education committee meeting held on March 1, 2006:
a.
Grade 5/6 Family Life Committee
The Grade 5/6 Family Life Committee was established by the superintendent to
review the approach to delivering the grade 5 and 6 family life program in the
district. Director of Instruction Garth Schafer was asked to chair the committee in
the fall to review two issues related to the grade 5 and 6 program: 1. The manner
in which we communicate with parents prior to the presentation of the grade 5 and
6 Family Life Program; and 2. The practice of responding to student questions.
The Family Life Committee involved representation from parents, teachers, support
staff, administrators and public health. The committee met four times and put forth
two recommendations which were agreed to by all members of the committee:
1. That the revised letter and grade 5 and 6 course outline be circulated to
parents of grade 5 and 6 students prior to the delivery of the Family Life
Program; and
2. That the Family Life teacher respond to student questions in a context that is
straight forward, simple and factual.
The Education Committee was very impressed with and appreciative of the work of
the Family Life Committee.
MOTION:
Manning/Huebert that the Board approve the Family Life Committee
recommendations as presented.
CARRIED
Trustees requested that appreciation be extended to the committee members for their
participation on the committee.
8.2
Buildings, Grounds, Safety and Transportation Committee
Trustee Jamieson reported on the buildings, grounds, safety and transportation
committee meeting held on March 1, 2006:
a.
Uplands Elementary School
Cathy Bowles, Principal, Uplands Elementary School, discussed with the
committee practices in place when neighbouring orchardists spray their trees. It is
expected the neighbouring orchardists would contact the principal regarding a
planned spray and the students would be kept in the school. It was noted she is in
her first year as a principal and has not been required to implement the process.
Ms. Bowles did note a recent burning in an orchard resulted in requests to keep
students indoors to avoid the smoke. It was agreed more information should be
documented regarding sprays used in neighbouring orchards to allow the school
community to be better informed.
b.
Summerland Board Office
The committee was advised the tenant renting the Summerland board office will
complete a number of improvements on the building. All costs for this work will be
paid by the tenant.
c.
Chemical Testing
There have been recent reports regarding potential mercury contaminations in a
Kootenay high school. To alleviate potential concerns in our district, we have
joined with a number of other districts in the province to test and confirm the safety
of our science labs. Mr. Hickling reported remedial action will be taken as required.
“Working Together for Student Success”
www.sd67.bc.ca
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
10.0
Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – March 6, 2006
d.
Queen’s Park Elementary
Director of Maintenance John Hickling reported on a recent tender opening for the
replacement of heating and ventilation equipment at Queen’s Park Elementary.
The low tender was provided by Combined Mechanical for $506,645 which is within
the funding budget.
e.
Penticton Secondary School
Mr. Hickling reviewed preparations for temporary accommodation and demolition
on the south side of the site in preparation for construction.
f.
Naramata Water Line
The secretary-treasurer advised the water line considered for construction on the
Naramata Elementary site will now be constructed only on the roadway.
MOTION:
9.0
Page 4
Jamieson/Manning that the report of the buildings, grounds, safety and
transportation committee be received.
CARRIED
REPORT OF SECRETARY-TREASURER
9.1
Penticton Secondary School Reconstruction
The secretary-treasurer reported that planning documents are more than 50% complete
and have been forwarded to the quantity surveyor for costing estimates to confirm we are
on budget. We expect to hear the results of their review within a two-week period.
9.2
2006-07 Budget Development
The secretary-treasurer noted that a public budget meeting to receive submissions and
suggestions for the 2006-07 budget will be held on March 28, 7:00 p.m., at Queen’s Park
Elementary School. Invitations have been extended to partner groups advising the public
meeting date and ads will be published in three local papers this week. As yet, we have
not received the detailed funding for our district and are hopeful it will be received by next
week.
9.3
Facility Review
Secretary-treasurer Regehr reminded trustees that the requirement for three portable
classrooms at Giant’s Head Elementary and availability of four vacant classrooms at
Trout Creek Elementary was questioned during last year’s budget development. A
review of options and financial impact will be examined with the year’s budget review to
ascertain if a boundary readjustment might be viable to move students from portables.
The study will be completed within the next month.
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
10.1
Student Achievement
a.
District Workgroups
The superintendent noted that resource purchases provided by the recent Ministry
grants have been well received and that several teachers are involved with SMART
reading initiatives and training. Director of Instruction Schafer reported that
numeracy teachers have been working in grade groups discussing success,
challenges they might face, and what support they need from helping teachers and
others. Secondary teachers have provided input to the Ministry of Education
regarding the new math program expected to be released by 2008. Assistant
Superintendent Stigant reported that as part of the social responsibility goal a
training session will be held next Thursday regarding the Lions Quest program, the
Roots of Empathy program will be expanded to each of the middle schools next
“Working Together for Student Success”
www.sd67.bc.ca
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
Page 5
Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – March 6, 2006
year, and four cohorts have been trained for the TRIBES program. It may be
possible to use this program as a transition tool during the coming year.
b.
10.2
Dogwood Completion Rates
For information only, the superintendent reviewed the Dogwood completion rates
for the school district which can be used as a significant indicator of student
success. SD67 improved to 12th place out of 60 districts in 2004-05, compared to
24th out of 60 districts in 2000-01. From 1999-00 to 2004-05, the SD67 aboriginal
education grads increased by 27% while the provincial aboriginal education grads
increased by 7%.
Communication and Access
a.
Field Trips
The superintendent of schools reviewed a listing of field trip requests, one of which
had been approved by the superintendent pursuant to policy.
MOTION:
Little/Van Alphen that the following field trip requests be approved:
•
•
•
•
MOTION:
Jamieson/Manning that the following field trip request be approved in
principle:
•
b.
March 2 to 4, 2006, for 11 students from Princess Margaret
Secondary School to compete in the provincial AA basketball
championships in Kamloops and that funding as per board policy
be provided;
March 3 to 5, 2006, for six students from Penticton Secondary
School to compete in the provincial public speaking competitions
and provincial debating tournament in Port Moody and that
funding as per board policy be provided;
May 10 to 13, 2006, for 60 grade 8 band students from KVR
Middle School to travel to Edmonton to perform at three
elementary schools; and
March 1 to 4, 2006, for 13 students from Skaha Lake Middle
School to compete in the provincial grade 8 girls basketball
tournament in Pitt Meadows and that funding as per board policy
be provided.
CARRIED
September 25 to October 2006, for 20 grade 10 to 12 students
from Penticton Secondary, Summerland Secondary, and
Princess Margaret Secondary to travel to Ikeda and Tokyo,
Japan, on a sister city tour.
CARRIED
Partners’ Group Meeting
The superintendent provided feedback from the partners’ group meeting held on
March 1, 2006 and noted the purpose of the meeting was to provide an update to
and gain feedback from every school in the district on issues and initiatives of
importance. A parent and school admin rep attended from every school along with
secondary student representatives, trustees, and district staff. The feedback on
the changed format of the evening was very positive and consideration will be
given to having similar sessions next year organized in feeder school groups.
Another suggestion raised was to have a fall meeting with PAC chairs, school
principals, partner group representatives, students, and trustees.
“Working Together for Student Success”
www.sd67.bc.ca
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
10.3
Page 6
Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – March 6, 2006
c.
Summer Leadership Conference
The superintendent of schools provided a brochure for the Summerland Leadership
Conference to be held August 21 and 22, 2006 at the Penticton Trade &
Convention Centre. Approximately 325 educators attended last year’s conference
and we are hoping to attract 500 for this year.
d.
Arts and Science in Harmony 2006
Superintendent Doi invited the public to attend Arts and Science in Harmony 2006
currently underway at the Penticton Trade & Convention Centre. Mr. Doi noted
that 40 school bands from throughout BC and Idaho are participating in the concert
band festival which is combined with the annual science fair and fine arts exhibit.
Other Items
a.
Enrolment
In reviewing the enrolment summary as of February 28, 2006 included with the
agenda package, Assistant Superintendent Stigant reported a slight change in
comparison to the previous month. There are currently 7,269 students (6,947.074
FTE) in the district.
MOTION:
Van Alphen/Little that the enrolment report be received.
CARRIED
11.0
REPORT OF REPRESENTATIVES
12.0
NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS
12.1
13.0
Meeting with Penticton City Council
Chairman Denesiuk reported regarding the meeting held with Penticton City Council on
February 22, 2006, noting topics covered during the meeting included: City/School Board
fields, student achievement initiatives, the summer leadership conference, Penticton
Secondary School redevelopment, the Shatford building, and Penticton Secondary
auditorium and gymnasium.
INFORMATION ITEMS
13.1
BCSTA Provincial Council Meeting
Trustee Little reported regarding the BCSTA Provincial Council meeting held on February
23 to 25, 2006 in Richmond at which speakers included Dr. Martha Piper and Deputy
Minister Emery Dosdall. Topics covered included: early learning, integration of library
cards, highlights from the throne speech, virtual schools, on-line tutorial service, early
learning centers, information service for parents, reports from the president and
committees, and presentation of the draft budget. Additional information is available in
the trustee reading file.
13.2
BCSTA Trustees Academy
Trustees were reminded to bring their reports of their attendance at the BCSTA Trustees
Academy held February 23 to 25, 2006 in Richmond.
13.3
BCSTA Okanagan Branch Meeting
Trustees were reminded to bring their reports of their attendance at the BCSTA
Okanagan Branch meeting held March 3 and 4, 2006 in Vernon.
“Working Together for Student Success”
www.sd67.bc.ca
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
13.4
14.0
Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – March 6, 2006
Date of Next Meeting
• March 28, 2006, 7:00 p.m., public budget meeting, Queen’s Park Elementary
• April 10, 2006, regular meeting, school board office
• May 2, 2006, 7:00 p.m., special board meeting, school board office
TRUSTEE COMMENTS
14.1
Trustee Comments
Trustees provided general comments related to district and school activities.
14.2
Recognition of Student Success
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha) extended congratulations to the students and
groups for outstanding examples of success as shown on the recognition sheet included
with the agenda package.
14.3
Recognition of Student Artwork
Students from Summerland Secondary School were congratulated for their artwork
currently on display at the school board office:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
15.0
Page 7
Samantha Schlacter, Grade 10
Pascale Clermont, Grade 11
Lacie Langston, Grade 11
Sam Numsen, Grade 11
Rachael Duncan, Grade 12
Rachael Duncan, Grade 12
Lori Hartscamp, Grade 12
Matt Loewen, Grade 12
Sarah Picket, Grade 12
Original – Untitled
Master Study – Emily Carr
Master Study – Zdzislaw-Berksinski
Master Study – Salvador Dali
Master Study – Gustav Klimpt
Original – Untitled
Master Study – Mannie Gonsalves
Master Study – Emily Carr
Still Life – Charcoal Study
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION:
Manning/Jamieson that the meeting be adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
CARRIED
16.0
QUESTION PERIOD
____________________
Chairperson
____________________
Secretary-Treasurer
March 8, 2006
Ref: U:\SBO-ST-Data\DA\2005-2006\00100 - 00999 Admin\00300-05 Minutes Open\060306 OP.doc
“Working Together for Student Success”
www.sd67.bc.ca